KUALA LUMPUR, 30 June 2009: Measures to liberalise the economy that were announced today are positive, but do not address issues of governance or affirmative action, said Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“These measures, supposedly to attract foreign investors, are good but not [comprehensive],” Anwar told a press conference in Parliament today.

“They must be coupled with affirmative action. Liberalisation must also guarantee the welfare of the poor and marginalised,” Anwar said, adding that such affirmative action should be based on need rather than race.